Durban - A whale calf was released after it had become entangled in the shark prevention nets opposite uMhlanga main beach on Tuesday.
Mike Anderson Reade, KZN Sharks Board spokesperson said it did not take the sharks board crew long to release the whale because it was not badly entangled in the nets.
"It was a relatively easy release. An adult whale, presumably the mother, was alongside the calf throughout the rescue. The sea conditions were very rough. The whale did not thrash about in the water and was rather calm. It swam off thereafter,"Reade said.
Dewet Geldenhuys, uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP)manager, said beachgoers and those walking along the promenade were gazing out to sea when they caught the site of a whale exhaling water (blowing) into the air in the distance.
When they realised that the whale was not moving position they raised the alarm with the uMhlanga lifeguards.
Reade said sharks nets were in place along certain beaches. The Ballito and uMhlanga main beaches and Durban beaches between North beach and uShaka and some on the lower south coast have nets.